May have said before:

-the hopeful gait of a main who has left a liquor store after having paid for a quart of gin with an unsubstantiated check.  Will they call the bank before he gets out the door? Will bells and whistles sound, will somebody shout "Stop that man!"  He enjoys some relief when he gets out the door, but his troubles are not over.  He enjoys a further degree of relief when he gets into the car, but his troubles are not over.  The car floods, the engine won't start.  ""I'm calling to check on the bank balance of Mr. Lemuel Estes.") The battery, as he grinds the starter, begins to show signs of weakness.  Then the motor catches, he backs onto the street, makes a right turn, and, when he feels safe at last, stops the car, screws the top off the bottle, and takes two or three long pulls.  Oh, sweet elixir, killer of pain.  Gently, gently the world reforms itself into interesting, intense and natural arrangements.  Thomas Paine drank too much.  General Grant.  Winston Churchill.  He is in the company of the truly great.  He stops twice on the way home and, having out away nearly a pint, comes into his house with that air of blustering good cheer, that heartiness that deceives no one.